Davis Cup

The Davis Cup has grown from humble origins into the premier international team tennis tournament it is today. Starting in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States it has since grown to incorporate 130 nations.

The tournament is structured into different leagues. The 16 best nations are assigned to the World Group and annually compete for the Davis Cup. For countries that are not in the World Group, they compete in one of three regional zones (Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa). 

Teams in the World Group play in a four-round elimination tournament. The losers of the first-round matches are sent to the World Group playoff round, where they play the winners from the Group 1 regional fixtures. The play-off winners then play in the World Group at the next tournament. The matches are best of five and consist of four singles games and one doubles match.

In terms of success the United States lead the way, having won the tournament a record 32 times. They have finished as runners up a further 29 times. Australia aren't too far behind with 28 successes and 19 runner-up spots, and between 1950 and 1966 Australia dominated the competition, winning it 15 times in 18 years. As for Britain, they are tied third with France with nine victories each.

In recent years the Czech Republic have emerged as the dominant international force, winning the competition in 2012 and 2013. The Czechs are spearheaded by beaten 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, whilst Radek Stepanek offers valiant support. While Berdych is the master of the singles, Stepanek is a brilliant doubles player, having won both the Australian and US Open doubles titles. Together they have built up an intrinsic doubles partnership, which in the past two finals is yet to be beaten. If the Czech side win the 2014 Davis Cup they will be the first country since America between 1970 and 1972 to win it on three consecutive occasions.

In terms of records, America's seven consecutive titles between 1920 and 1926 is a record but Australia hold the record for consecutive finals appearances with 23 between 1946 and 1968. 

In terms of individual records, at the age of 13 years and 326 days Bangladeshi Mohammed-Akhtar Hossain is the youngest ever player. At the opposite end, Gadonfin Koptigan Yaka of Togo is the oldest player after appearing at the age of 59 years and 147 days. Italian Domenico Vicini has played in the most matches with 164 in all. Unsurprisingly, he has also won the most matches with 120. His 78 singles and 42 doubles victories are also records. 

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